Bar Harbor in Hancock County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Glacial Freight
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Glaciers carry huge loads of rock. The rocks come to rest where the melting ice crops them. The large boulder perched above on the South Bubble is a striking example.
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20,000 years ago
Before the ice sheet came, the rugged Acadian highland was a granite ridge running east-west.
17,000 years ago
Huge tongues of ice invaded the valleys on the north slopes, cut through the passes, and engulfed the mountains on their way to the sea.
15,000 years ago
At its maximum the ice covered Acadia with a sheet over 8,000 feet (2400m) thick! The sheet extended about 200 miles (320km) seaward to the edge of the continental shelf.
13,500 years ago
Climatic warming caused the ice to melt back to the north. Ocean waters rose, flooding the foothills of the mountains.
10,000 years ago to present
The ice changed the shape of Acadia. It cut deep U-shaped valleys running north-south, and rounded and polished the mountaintops.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 44° 20.296′ N, 68° 15.03′ W. Marker is in Bar Harbor, Maine, in Hancock County. Marker is on Park Loop Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bar Harbor ME 04609, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Granite Foundations (approx. 0.9 miles away); Drink in the View (approx. one mile away); To the Top! (approx. 1.3 miles away); Gateway to Acadia (approx. 1.3 miles away); Carriage Roads - The Gate Lodges (approx. 1.3 miles away); Picture Perfect? (approx. 1.6 miles away); Stephen Tyng Mather (approx. 1.6 miles away); Cadillac Mountain (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bar Harbor.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,136 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.